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Annual Scholarship Dinner Will Raise Over $1.1 Million for Students

by
John Armitage | Nov 27, 2012

Marian University's 18th annual Opportunities for Excellence Scholarship Celebration and Dinner generates a record $1.1 million in donations.

On Thursday, October 14, 2010 Marian University will hold the 18th annual Opportunities for Excellence Scholarship Celebration and Dinner to raise money for student scholarships. The event features a silent auction and the evening’s program includes the presentation of the university’s Franciscan Values Awards.
This year, event sponsors, table sponsors, and individual ticket sales have resulted in over $1 million of donations toward scholarships and with the addition of proceeds from the silent auction tomorrow night will bring the total to around $1.1 million.
Marian University trustee and alumnus John Cardis ‘63, the retired national managing partner of Deloitte and Touche’s Global Strategic Clients Division, commented that this is an incredible achievement for a one-night event. “I was involved in fundraising for an organization in Los Angeles for many years, and I know that this is no small effort to raise $1 million, even in a city as large as L.A.,” he stated in prepared remarks that he will make at the dinner.
Last year, the event raised $630,000, a record for the university (in 1993, the first year of the event, we raised a bit more than $78,000, by comparison). The fundraiser was started by Marian University alumnus and trustee Mary McNulty Young ’47, a retired Indianapolis attorney and the matriarch of one of Indianapolis’ most service-oriented and devoutly Catholic families. To honor her, the university will rename the scholarship dinner for her tomorrow night: the Mary McNulty Young ’47 Opportunities for Excellence Scholarship Dinner.
Marian University traces its roots to 1851, when the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Indiana founded a teacher training school to serve the needs of the Catholic community in southeastern Indiana. The Sisters relocated the university to Indianapolis in 1937; today the university offers students an excellent education that emphasizes a Franciscan understanding of the values of dignity of the individual, peace and justice, reconciliation, and responsible stewardship. These values are legacy of our founders, the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Indiana and the foundation of our personal approach to educating the whole person. In honor of this legacy, each year Marian University presents the Franciscan Values Awards in recognition of contributions to our community. The awards are given annually during the Opportunities for Excellence Scholarship Celebration and Dinner. This year, awards will be given to Indianapolis businessman P.E. MacAllister, chairman of MacAllister Machinery, and the priests of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, accepted by Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein.
Mary McNulty Young ‘47
Mary McNulty Young is a retired Indianapolis attorney and the matriarch of one of the city’s most service-oriented and devoutly Catholic families. A 1947 graduate of Marian University, she was one of only two women in a class of 150 students at Indiana University School of Law. She credits her Marian University education with being the “bedrock” for her legal career. She was married to the late Howard S. Young Jr., an outstanding Indianapolis lawyer, and is the mother of their nine children, six of whom became attorneys.
With a deep sense of responsibility for others, she helped build the law firm of Young and Young into a practice that emphasizes social justice and incorporates the values of Saint Francis—particularly dignity of the individual—into each client relationship. From the earliest days of the practice, Young gave her time generously to community organizations like St. Vincent Hospital Guild, which she served as president from 1966-68; St. Augustine Home for the Aged; Indianapolis Museum of Art, which she served as a board member and chairwoman of its operating fund drive; Indiana State Symphony Society; and Marquette Manor, Marian University, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Brebeuf Preparatory High School, and St. Luke Catholic Church, all of which she served as a board member.
As a fundraiser, Young shared her talent and time with many organizations. She was the chairwoman of the first Shamrauction for Cathedral High School in 1978; chairwoman of the first annual “Le Grande Garage Sale” for Brebeuf Preparatory High School in 1982; the co-chairwoman of the capstone fund drive for Marian University (then known as Marian College) in 1981; and the founder and chairwoman of Marian University’s first Opportunities for Excellence Scholarship Celebration and Dinner in 1993.
Her willingness to serve others, generous nature, and demonstrated stewardship have earned her many awards, including the Distinguished Alumni Award from Marian University in 1983; President’s Medal Award from Brebeuf Preparatory High School in 1983; Catholic Laywoman of the Year from Faith, Family and Football of Indiana in 1984; the Woman of the Year recognition from the Indiana State Bar Association in 1993; Knight of Service Award from Marian University in 1994; the Indiana Jefferson Award for Distinguished Volunteerism in 1995; Meritorious Service Award from the Indiana Association of Homes and Services for the Aging in 1999; honoree of the Marian University Opportunities for Excellence Scholarship Celebration and Dinner in 2001; the Sagamore of the Wabash recognition in 2007; and an honorary degree from Marian University in 2008.
P.E. MacAllister
P.E. MacAllister is a well-known Hoosier philanthropist, businessman, and civic leader. He is currently the chairman of his family-owned business, MacAllister Machinery Company. He helps fund nearly 71 causes, and has had a profound impact on the greater Indianapolis area through his generous giving. He is a strong supporter of the arts, and in 2003 received an award from the Arts Council of Indianapolis. He is interested in opera, symphony, and theatre organizations as well as fine arts organizations, and through his philanthropy contributes greatly to the cultural richness of our community.
MacAllister has served as president of the Capitol Improvements Board, which funded the Indianapolis RCA Dome and Convention Center, and has been a part of building Indianapolis into one of our country’s greatest cities since the 1970s. He’s won various leadership awards and has served as chairman on many different boards including the board at McCormick Theological Seminary. MacAllister is deeply involved in Northminster Presbyterian Church and has served as an elder, deacon, and trustee. His faith guides his life—not just in church, but outside of it, as well.
Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein
The Archdiocese of Indianapolis extends more than 13,700 square miles, from Indianapolis to the Ohio River, from state line to state line, and represents the Church in central and southern Indiana. Including the archbishop, there are 152 priests in the diocese who serve over 226,000 Catholics in 139 parishes of the 11 deaneries. Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein oversees this extensive ministry, and he has served as the assistant dean of students, as well as the director of spiritual formation at Saint Meinrad College. He has also held the position of president-rector of Saint Meinrad Seminary. His heart of service and his ability to teach has impacted the lives of many of his students as he has strengthened and nurtured their spiritual lives. Archbishop Buechlein graduated from Saint Meinrad College in 1961 and Saint Meinrad School of Theology in 1964. Archbishop Buechlein is a consultor of the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy and an active member in many other Catholic committees and organizations.